This photo shows one of two sets of portable cages the SPCA uses in Maple Ridge for sick cats or when all the other cages are full. One set of cages is in the kitchen/bathroom, a small interior room with no daylight or proper ventilation, the other is in the cold back room that is also used for euthanasia. These cages were brought in at about the beginning of 2001 to provide some means of isolating sick cats. However, note the counter space on the left. That small space, inches from the cage with the label that says "SICK", that space is where they prepare the food for all the cats and where clean dishes are left to dry. This is infection control?! The main cat illness in shelters is upper respiratory infection and the virus is air borne.

I don't fault the staff for anything here, this is a ridiculously small space to have to work in. It's unbelievable that this shelter has not been upgraded. It's in abysmal condition and has been for a long time. Between December '01 and February '02 the City of Maple Ridge said there was some funding for urgent upgrades and asked for a list. The City mentioned this during the Animal Services Committee meetings and those meetings were almost always attended by an SPCA person. I'm certain they were aware of the City's offer. Yet staff continues to work and animals continue to live in what amounts to a hovel. The SPCA itself has taken no responsibility for improving these conditions.

Finally, a cat can live in one of these cages 24/7 for quite a while. I hesitate to specify how long since I'm not sure. Two weeks? Maybe longer but I'm not sure. How compassionate is it to lock an animal into a 2' sq cage like that one on the bottom with no chance to exercise or socialize or get daylight or fresh air, day after day? How can that help a sick cat's health? It just makes my heart ache.